The story of Ban Nu

When the temperature drops to minus one, Li Cheng arrived in the capital with his small army of men. They are all freezing cold. The breath of the horses are cold and they all look tired. As they march in the capital, everyone bow to him. Banou who is happening to take a walk with Li Xing, standing in the distance to watch them slowly march in. Li Cheng looks tired and his facial hair is unshaved. The fur coat on his shoulders looks heavy and his shoulder is lined with snow. He did not notice Banou till he hear a boy talking loudly "Mother! Horses!" He pointed. 

Li Cheng then see Banou, his eyes light up. He nod his head to her. She too nod her head. As the horses walk past, they look at each other. Even though Li Xing is struggling to get off from his mother's embrace, it doesn't stop her from looking at Li Cheng. Their eyes are lock gaze with each other. Even thou his horse have walk pass her, she continue to look at him and he continue to march on to the palace. 

Three days later, Li Cheng comes to visit the mansion. He walk in together with LI Jun. The children are all excited to see him. Even the older children are there to sit and listen to Li Cheng's stories. Hot tea is served in a closed door room. Everyone is talking and asking questions. Li Xing on the first time seeing Li Cheng is fascinated with the beard he had. The little boy sits on his lap and touch his beard. Everyone laugh but not Ping Ping. She somehow understands that kind of feeling. She also like to touch Li Xing's curly hair. 

LI Cheng continue to stay till the Lunar New year. Consort Wu suggest that Li Cheng to shave clean before he set off back to camp. Everyone is persuading him till Li Ning suggest that Banou to help him to shave since she is the one who help to shave Li Jun every few days. Li Cheng agree without hasting while Banou is fumbling about. Everyone is watching her including Li Jun. He is trying not to be unreasonable but he is not able to sit properly. In the end he keep drinking the tea that is pour in his cup. While Li Cheng is laying on the chair, he stare at the ceiling till Banou's face appear above him. He close his eyes in a hurry. 

"Prince Li Cheng, i am going to start to shave your beard."

He did not move nor make any sound. He just lay there on the chair like a dead man. She gently touch his shoulder and pick up the small brush with the cream. Gently she sweep it across his chin and philtrum. She starts shaving when she holds the small blade in her hands. The children who never seen this are standing near to see how she shave clean their uncle. Li Cheng who have his eyes closed all the time can only hear and smell Banou's sweet scent. It feels like eternal just the two of them. When it is done, she use a clean warm cloth to place over his face. Before it cool off, she removed it. The children all clap their hands and laugh. Li Cheng touch his face and sit up. He looks at Banou and smile while touching his chin. Banou also smile which makes Li Jun to show his anger. 

"It's done! Ban Nu! " He pull her arm and drag her out into the snow to her quarter. As she is being drag away, she turn to see Li Cheng is still siting on the chair and he is looking at her without a smile. 

That night Banou is lock in her room. Even Li Xing is not allow to see her. She cannot do anything but ask Aylin to bring him away and try to get him to sleep. She sit alone in the dark room till the morning comes. Li Jun open the door and he walk in and sit down. 

"Do you know what mistake did you do, Ban Nu?" He point at the floor in front of him. Banou understands that and she kneel down and look at his shoes. He cup her chin and force her to look at him. They stare eye to eye. 

"My master, i don't know. " She begin to tear. 

"You don't know. Let me tell you. I am your master! You only look at me! Do you understand?!" He isn't shouting but he is loud enough for the words to carved in her heart. The tears in her eyes falls rapidly like the snow falling outside her window. Li Jun get up and remove all his clothes and throw them on the screen. He even kick off his boots across the room. With only his pants and on, he drag Banou to the bed. In his anger, he throw her on the bed and tear her top. She cry and dare not to anger him further. After her top is shredded, he become berserk and try to stimulate her. However in awhile, he realised what he is doing. He stop and his sweat beads roll off his forehead and drip on Banou's face. He sees her frighten face, the face he saw many years ago in the inn. "Ban Nu, i'm sorry..."

He lean down and hug her. She cry even more. Li Xing at that time come running in the room. He hear that his mother crying. He rush up and beat his father with his little hands. Banou hears her son running in, she hurry to use the blanket to cover herself. While Li Jun is holding Li Xing who is angry with his father. Li Jun carry Li Xing out of the room. From a distance, she can hear her son screaming. She know Li Jun won't harm him so she is not in a hurry to chase after them. She get up and look for another dress to put on. 

The next few day, the snow falls very light. The sky is bright and the small army of soldiers are preparing to march back to the camp. The horses march slowly through the busy market to the main gate of the city. Li Cheng is in front leading the group to their destination. Banou stands a very far distance to watch them march off. It feels like it will be the last time she see him.